The construction of the original Osaka castle was started in 1583 and took several years for completion. The castle was burned down in 1615 during the fight between the Toyotomis and the Tokugawas. The winner, the Tokugawas, rebuilt the castle in 1629 but the donjon was burned down again by lightning. The donjon we see today was rebuilt in 1913 using steel and concrete but maintains the historical look of the castle.